A former Regular and Reserve soldier will be honoured for his service as a volunteer with Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force (ACF).

Mr Alistair McInnes was named in the recent New Year’s Honours List 2018 and will now receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) from Her Majesty The Queen.

Colonel David Hammond, Colonel Cadets at 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales, said: “We are all extremely proud of Alistair who has deservedly been recognised for the many years that he has dedicated to inspiring generations of Army Cadets to achieve in their future adult lives.

“Volunteers like Alistair play a crucial role in allowing Army Cadets to access a range of life changing opportunities. We are always looking for new volunteers to our growing team, all of whom give some of their spare time to help young people to develop their life skills, attain new qualifications and to improve their self-confidence, empowering them to meet the myriad challenges of adult life”.

Since 1991, Alistair has forged a respected reputation as an exceptionally hard working individual and role model. This has included playing an important part in helping the Gwent & Powys ACF with their 12 year record as ‘Champion ACF County in Wales’ through his role with the Cadet Skill at Arms and Cadet Cambrian Patrol Competition training teams.

As well as gaining his own qualifications in Range Management, Alistair has supported numerous adventurous training expeditions to help Cadets work towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award and other qualifications.

Alistair has also been an invaluable member of staff on the ACF Outreach programme for disaffected school pupils, young offenders and those at risk of offending. He has also extended his assistance to the training teams of 160th Infantry Brigade Cadet Training Teams and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Central Camps.

Often willing to be flexible throughout his service, Alistair has been a detachment instructor at Brecon, Sennybridge, Crickhowell and Talgarth Detachments. This has helped the ACF address the under manning of volunteers in more rural areas.

Alistair has also simultaneously volunteered with the Mid and West Wales Fire Service’s Brecon Fire Station at times during his involvement with the Cadets – an impressive feat that truly represents the volunteer ethos of the ACF.

Even after enforced retirement from uniformed volunteering, Alistair returned to the ACF as a Civilian Assistant and continues to provide exceptional service in all that he does.

Over 300 primary school pupils were joined by a team of RAF personnel at the National Museum in Cardiff who helped them to build rocket cars, try computer coding, make a parachute to safely land an egg and take part in a hot air balloon challenge.